PURA VIDA! Past Review
By Evangelia V (Salem State College) - abroad from 06/02/2012 to 06/30/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I learned how beautiful the world can be. I missed my family but i feel like I made a family in Costa Rica as well. I grew up and matured all from opening myself up to the unknown. It's a hard lesson and one that i have yet to complete, but that's life.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Latina |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned a lot being exposed to the culture and the language. Being put in a place that is out of my element not only taught em about myself but taught me a different way of living. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Living with a host-family is honestly the best way to emerse yourself in a culture and really get to learn a different language. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house and family i lived with were very welcoming and friendly. |
| * Food: |
I personally am not picky with food, and i love trying new things. So i believed that the food was rich and tasteful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone i encountered in Costa Rica were friendly, and they all helped me even when they saw me struggling to speak the language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
If you're a tourist, just travel with a lot of people and never be alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Paying for school let alone a trip abroad was is expensive. However, saving up some money in order to expand my horizons was money worth spent. Studying abroad was so out of my element but i believe that it was the best decision i made thus far. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | One-hundred dollars every two weeks |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Honestly, don't spend your money on anything that just looks nice at the moment. I made that mistake and my money flew out of my bank account before i realized. You already paid so much, so reward yourself with one or two things but no need to go crazy! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I used the language as much as i could and i was encouraged to as well, everyday! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Before i went on the trip i was a beginner and had just completed Spanish 102 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | FLASH-CARDS! And most importantly, just go out for a walk around the neighborhood read all signs, say hello to people that walk by. In order to emerse yourself in the culture, you have to want it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How important it is to open yourself up to the world! Also that everything is a challenge, but it is all about how you faced it that counts. |
